Running / Jogging Injuries

Running and jogging provides a number of health benefits, making these exercises an excellent option for improving one's overall well-being; however, running is a high-impact exercise, causing many joggers to injure their feet and legs.

Common injuries

Some common running and jogging injuries include: 

• Arch problems: 
  • Flat feet caused by overpronation (running with the toes turned in). 
• Bone problems: 
  • Broken bones and stress fractures. 
• Nerve problems: 
  • Morton's Neuroma (pinching of the nerves between the toes). 
• Other problems: 
  • Shin splints (inflammation of the sheath surrounding the shin bone). 
  • Sprains (stretching and/or tearing of a ligament). 
  • Strains (stretching and/or tearing of a muscle). 
• Skin problems: 
  • Athlete's Foot (a fungal skin infection). 
  • Blisters. 
  • Bunions. 
• Tendon problems: 
  • Metatarsalgia (inflammation of the toe joints). 
  • Plantar fasciitis (injury of the arch-of-foot tendon). 
  • Turf toe (injury to the ligaments of the big toe).

If you have suffered one of these injuries, or if you are experiencing symptoms of a running-related injury, your doctor can help. With proper treatment, you can have the health and functionality of your feet and legs improved or restored.

Causes and symptoms of running /jogging injuries

Some jogging injuries are simply the result of placing stress on your feet and legs – an unavoidable component of many physical exercises. Many jogging injuries result from improper preparation (e.g. failing to stretch properly prior to exercise and failure to wear proper footwear). Others stem from over training (e.g. running too hard or too fast, thereby placing excessive strain on the feet and legs).

The symptoms of jogging injuries include:

• Burning or itching of the skin. 
• Decreased performance. 
• Difficulty running. 
• Discomfort, tightness, and/or heat in the feet and legs.
• Snapping or crackling sounds in the joints.

Treatment for running / jogging injuries

In treating a jogging or running injury, your doctor will take into consideration a number of factors, including the cause of the injury, type of iinjury, and your overall health. Generally speaking, tendon and bone injuries respond well to stabilizing the area of injury thereby allowing the tissues to heal. Skin injuries may need topical treatment while nerve injuries may require more invasive solutions.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a running- or jogging-related injury, call your doctor to learn about treatment that can help resolve your pain.